Motor Authority - blog Category: EV

Electricity is held by many in the industry to be the true way of the future, but so far only a tiny handful of companies have made serious attempts at a highway-capable production electric vehicle--and aside from the electric Smart, Daimler and Mercedes-Benz haven't been among them. But now the brand's AMG division is skipping straight over the mundane family tourer, today revealing an all-electric supercar built on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG platform at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show.

As previously reported, the car bears the same name as its V-8-engined counterpart, the standard SLS AMG, but instead of pumping 571 horsepower out of a...

Electricity is held by many in the industry to be the true way of the future, but so far only a tiny handful of companies have made serious attempts at a highway-capable production electric vehicle--and aside from the electric Smart, Daimler and Mercedes-Benz haven't been among them. But now the brand's AMG division is skipping straight over the mundane family tourer, today revealing an all-electric supercar built on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG platform at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. As previously reported, the car bears the same name as its V-8-engined counterpart, the standard SLS AMG, but instead of pumping 571 horsepower out of a single engine, the electric drive SLS AMG generates a total of 525 horsepower from its four corner-mounted electric motors. Torque of the electric model tops out at a heady 650 pound-feet. By using four motors, the SLS AMG's all-wheel drive system can modulate power to each individual wheel far more precisely and efficiently than any torque vectoring solution. Two transmissions--one for each axle--help to distribute power. Mercedes intentionally skipped mounting the motors in the wheels to reduce unsprung weight. "With the SLS AMG with electric drive, we wanted to redefine the super sports car. For us, it is not just about responsibility. We attach just as much importance to excitement and classic AMG performance," said Volker Mornhinweg, Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. Performance of the car will be very close to the combustion-engine version, with the 0-62 mph slipping by in just 4.0 seconds--0.2 seconds off the V-8 pace. Of course, the electric SLS AMG will have a good deal of weight to deal with in the form of its 400 Volt, 48 kWh total battery pack, which is located where the transmission tunnel is in the V-8 model, while the engine bay is also used for some of the electronics. Despite the addition of all the new drivetrain equipment, the gullwing body required no structural modifications, and due to the modularity of the electric drive system, it can all be positioned very low in the chassis to improve the center of gravity. Unfortunately, no clear time frame for the car's development and release was announced, so we'll likely have to wait several years before it hits the streets. Also undisclosed is the electric SLS AMG's range on a single charge. Mercedes has also confirmed today that the SLS AMG with electric drive will go on sale in 2013. Read More

Earlier this summer Tesla unveiled its drivable prototype Model S sedan at Elon Musk's SpaceX headquarters, and opened the reservation books for the car - even though they hadn't broken ground on the factory that will build it. Plans on the factory have since developed, and over 1,000 people have made the $5,000 deposit for the car, raising another $5 million for the car's development. Today, Tesla has released new photos of the car showing it in action on real-life roads.

Earlier photos of the car, whether from the official studio session or the live shots of the rolling prototype, revealed it to be a definite design success, but these...

Earlier this summer Tesla unveiled its drivable prototype Model S sedan at Elon Musk's SpaceX headquarters, and opened the reservation books for the car - even though they hadn't broken ground on the factory that will build it. Plans on the factory have since developed, and over 1,000 people have made the $5,000 deposit for the car, raising another $5 million for the car's development. Today, Tesla has released new photos of the car showing it in action on real-life roads. Earlier photos of the car, whether from the official studio session or the live shots of the rolling prototype, revealed it to be a definite design success, but these latest images - which look to be official - released by egmCarTech show that its attractive lines have some serious legs as well. From the body roll and pitch in a few of these shots, it's being flogged pretty well on the track. The man behind the wheel is none other than the one responsible for the car's design, Tesla's Franz von Holzhausen. The attractive design and the car's strong specs - even if only vaporware at this point - have led to strong pre-salse. Even Tesla was surprised by the number of people willing to pony up the cash early on, when 520 people had made their reservations in the first week. "Frankly the number of cars reserved in the first week has exceeded our optimistic internal projections," said Tesla CEO, Chairman and Product Architect Elon Musk. "Enthusiasm surrounding the Model S is proof that there's pent-up demand for more affordable, fuel-efficient vehicles - including those made in America." As interest in the Model S continues to show strength, Tesla has shifted to extolling the virtues of the electric sedan. “The Model S is a better value than much cheaper conventional cars,” said Musk. “Despite the enormous environmental benefits, lower total cost of ownership will soon become the primary motivation for consumers to evolve from gas guzzlers to EVs.” The Model S's lower total cost of ownership relies on higher priced - above $5 per gallon - gasoline. At current rates, the calculation isn't so favorable. But it at least seems reasonable to assume fuel prices will rise again once the economy rights itself. Tesla has added to the buzz behind the Model S by announcing a Signature Edition, which will be built in a run of 2,000 cars that will be split evenly between U.S. and European customers. The Tesla Model S Signature Edition will be the first cars built and will come with unique interior and exterior features. To reserve one Tesla will need a $40,000 deposit for this special model. The Model S's statistics are as much inspiration for the early interest as the 'green' cachet or the car's good looks - at 5.5 seconds to 60 mph, a 300-mile range and an incredible price of $57,500 before $7,500 in tax credits, the car offers inexplicable value, especially considering it will be built in San Jose, California. And that's before you get to the car's technological feature list. For more on the Model S and its production plans, check out our story on the car's unveiling here. Read More

Tesla has recently reached the start-up milestone of profitability, and it's currently at work to build a facility that will let it produce the Model S electric sedan, and to top it all, the company is working on a new variation of the all-electric Roadster sports car. The new car is called the Roadster Sport and it is essentially a more powerful version of the existing Roadster.

The Roadster Sport has 15% more peak power than the 248-horsepower Roadster and will go from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds (the standard model takes 3.9 seconds). The vehicle also comes with a hand-wound stator and increased winding density for lower resistance and...

Tesla has recently reached the start-up milestone of profitability, and it's currently at work to build a facility that will let it produce the Model S electric sedan, and to top it all, the company is working on a new variation of the all-electric Roadster sports car. The new car is called the Roadster Sport and it is essentially a more powerful version of the existing Roadster. The Roadster Sport has 15% more peak power than the 248-horsepower Roadster and will go from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds (the standard model takes 3.9 seconds). The vehicle also comes with a hand-wound stator and increased winding density for lower resistance and higher peak torque (the stator is the stationary part of an electric generator or electric motor). The motor still spins to a redline of 14,000rpm, with drive being sent to the rear wheels. In addition to high-performance Yokohama tires, the Roadster Sport also has improved suspension with adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars that will be tuned to the driver's preference. Tesla plans to start taking orders for the new model from today, and has priced it at $128,500 in the United States and €112,000 (excluding VAT) in Europe. First deliveries are scheduled to start in late June, and anyone who has already ordered the standard Roadster can upgrade to the new Roadster Sport. 2009 Tesla Roadster Sport   Tesla Roadster Read More

Tales of the financial success of a carmaker are rare enough these days, much less tales of an upstart electric vehicle maker. But according to Tesla's latest news, the company has reached profitability against all odds.

Fulfilling a promise made back in June, the company's claims of profitability come on the back of strong sales in July, realizing $1 million in earnings on $20 million in revenue. The profitability came, as expected, from the bigger margin of the new Roadster 2 (not to be confused with the more powerful Roadster Sport pictured here).

Shipping 109 vehicles in July drove income up, allowing Tesla Motors to reach overall... Tales of the financial success of a carmaker are rare enough these days, much less tales of an upstart electric vehicle maker. But according to Tesla's latest news, the company has reached profitability against all odds. Fulfilling a promise made back in June, the company's claims of profitability come on the back of strong sales in July, realizing $1 million in earnings on $20 million in revenue. The profitability came, as expected, from the bigger margin of the new Roadster 2 (not to be confused with the more powerful Roadster Sport pictured here). Shipping 109 vehicles in July drove income up, allowing Tesla Motors to reach overall corporate profitability. That phrase - overall corporate profitability - is carefully repeated throughout the Tesla Motors press release, however, looking suspiciously like a carefully-worded way to make a claim that's not, at leas in plain-speaking terms, completely true. We don't know what Tesla's books look like, however, so we can't say they aren't profitable, but it's safe to say that sales of 109 cars priced at $109,000 doesn't equate to $20 million in revenue, so at least part of the picture isn't being fully revealed. Tesla's CEO, the oft-snarky Elon Musk, had this to say of the profitability achievement: "We achieved a bottom-line profitability thanks to a tremendous amount of hard work by the Tesla team to improve quality, while simultaneously reducing costs on the Roadster. "This also shows that there is strong demand for a car that is unique in offering high performance with a clean conscience. Moreover, customers know that in buying the Roadster they are helping fund development of our mass market electric cars." The true test of Tesla's carmaking mettle will come with the next-gen Model S electric sedan. If the company can make that car an affordable, mass-produced reality while still turning a profit, the critics won't have much of a leg to stand on.Tesla Model S Prototype Read More

There's the Tesla Roadster and several three-wheeled electric vehicles for sale, but so far getting a purely electric-powered car to production with a standard car's features at a price the general public can afford has eluded the industry. Until the Nissan LEAF, that is.

Or at least that's the story Nissan is pitching. Due for launch in the U.S., Japan and Europe by late 2010, the LEAF guarantees a range of over 100mi (160km) on a charge in a practical mid-size hatchback bodystyle. Nissan says that 100mi range is enough to satisfy the daily needs of 70% of the drivers in the world.

"Our car had to be the world's first, medium-size,... There's the Tesla Roadster and several three-wheeled electric vehicles for sale, but so far getting a purely electric-powered car to production with a standard car's features at a price the general public can afford has eluded the industry. Until the Nissan LEAF, that is. Or at least that's the story Nissan is pitching. Due for launch in the U.S., Japan and Europe by late 2010, the LEAF guarantees a range of over 100mi (160km) on a charge in a practical mid-size hatchback bodystyle. Nissan says that 100mi range is enough to satisfy the daily needs of 70% of the drivers in the world. "Our car had to be the world's first, medium-size, practical EV that motorists could afford and would want to use every day. And that's what we've created. The styling will identify not only Nissan LEAF but also the owner as a participant in the new era of zero-emission mobility," said Masato Inoue, Product Chief Designer. Powered by a lithium-ion battery back, the LEAF should also provide reasonable performance, on par with other cars in the economy hatchback class. The electric battery pack can generate output of up to 120hp (90kW), while the electric motor delivers 107hp (80kW) of output and 206lb-ft (280Nm) of torque, figures typical of many smaller and medium-sized cars. And with the ability to regain up to 80% of its full charge in just 30 minutes, it can get back on the road again in a hurry. A full charge takes about 8 hours, a typical overnight duration. But the real story is how Nissan optimized almost every aspect of the LEAF's design to maximize efficiency. The LED headlights themselves tax the electrical system minimally, but the headlight covers also split and redirect airflow away from the door mirrors, cutting wind noise and drag. Inside, the materials are all styled in a 'blue earth' color scheme, reflecting the car's efficient nature and complementing the introductory model's exterior color. Finally, the LEAF employs an advanced IT system that connects it to a global data center to provide support, information and entertainment around the clock. The dash-mounted monitor uses this information to show a 'reachable area' display, letting the driver know exactly how far they can go on the remaining charge. It also shows the nearest charging stations to make juicing back up easier. Production of the LEAF will begin at Nissan's Oppama, Japan plant with the Smyrna, Tennessee plant to handle additional capacity down the road. The lithium-ion batteries that power the car are produced in Zama, Japan, though once demand outstrips that supply, sources in the U.S., Portugal and the UK are also ready to go. When sales begin late next year, Nissan sees the LEAF taking its place as both a primary car for some drivers and for others, a secondary car that's used primarily for commuting or other daily duties, while the family vehicle remains in service for times when more space is needed. Pricing details will be announced closer to start of sales, however, Nissan is expecting the car to be competitively priced in the range of a well-equipped C-segment vehicle. Additionally, the LEAF is expected to qualify for an array of significant local, regional and national tax breaks and incentives in markets around the world. As an added benefit, because the vehicle has less mechanical complexity than a traditional gasoline-powered car, it will also cost significantly less to service and run.Nissan LEAF electric vehicleNissan LEAF Electric Vehicle Read More

Nissan is getting ready to release its first electric vehicle for the U.S. and Japanese markets in 2010, and to help butter up potential customers the automaker has provided us with some details on its new electric vehicle platform. Additionally, Nissan has developed a new for the upcoming electric vehicle that will show off the new model in all its glory on August 2nd when it goes live.

The creation of a new electric vehicle platform will allow Nissan to develop future models on the same basic design, and help create electric vehicles to match certain market segments. The new dedicated electric vehicle platform consists of an electric... Nissan is getting ready to release its first electric vehicle for the U.S. and Japanese markets in 2010, and to help butter up potential customers the automaker has provided us with some details on its new electric vehicle platform. Additionally, Nissan has developed a new for the upcoming electric vehicle that will show off the new model in all its glory on August 2nd when it goes live. The creation of a new electric vehicle platform will allow Nissan to develop future models on the same basic design, and help create electric vehicles to match certain market segments. The new dedicated electric vehicle platform consists of an electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery and, from the preview seen on the microsite, it appears as though Nissan's designers have taken full advantage of the different styling possibilities afforded by electric vehicle platforms and developed a uniquely 'electric-looking' vehicle for its first offering. The motor powering the platform is a 109hp (80kW) unit, but with torque figures of 206lb-ft (280Nm) the car should be no slouch off the line. The 24kWh battery powering the motor is placed under the vehicle's floor, and a new regenerative braking system helps to keep it charged when braking and slowing down. Along with showing off its new EV platform, Nissan also gave us a sneak peek at its new EV-IT support system, which it claims will give EV drivers round-the-clock support by connecting to their vehicle through an on-board transmission unit. The EV-IT system will have a 'maximum range' display so drivers can see exactly how far the juice in the battery will take them, as well as a navigation system that can point drivers to the nearest charging stations within the current driving range. There will also be a tool to help control electric functions in the car such as air-conditioning or battery charging. Additionally, this system will also be able to act as a remote control and monitoring device for drivers when they are away from the vehicle - according to Nissan, drivers can check how charged their EV is via a website or mobile phone, and users will be able to control a number of functions from their computers such as air-conditioning timers. Meanwhile, the sneak peek of the production EV will be fully unveiled at Nissan's new global headquarters opening in Yokohama on August 2nd. Currently, only the front of the car can be seen on the new microsite (http://www2.nissan-zeroemission.com/EN/), and so far it appears the snub-nosed production model will feature a central charging socket on the bonnet. Read More